A BELIVER’S RESPONSIBILITY

WHO IS A BELIEVER?

A believer is one who faithfully trusts in Jesus Christ and one who has received the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. “What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 Jn. 3:1). And Paul’s epistle to Hebrew he wrote thus, “Therefore brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:19-25).

WHAT IS RESPONSIBILITY?

Responsibility or being responsible means; being dependable, keeping promises and honoring our commitments. It is accepting the consequences for what we say and do. It also means developing our potential; answerable, or accountable for something within one’s power, control or management. It can also mean a duty, obligation or burden. People who are responsible don’t make excuses for their actions or blame others when things go wrong.  

HOW IS A BELIVER’S RESPONSIBILITY?

Paul the Apostle wrote to Timothy in his first epistle saying, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever or another word; an infidel.” (1 Tim. 5:8). Provision for parents by children is an important part of the meaning of the fifth commandment (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16), “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Spiritual commitment comes to high expression in the family by practical provision of material support for one’s parents (v. 4) states that, “if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn how to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable to God.” He states the responsibility of children to parents even more strongly by asserting that the absence of that piety makes suspect their profession of faith. It is interesting to note that Paul speaks of the denial of faith in terms of the practice of truth. It is the omission of a duty clearly commanded by God (the fifth commandment) which evidences lack of true faith. Jesus’ concern for His mother, even while suffering the agony of the cross, makes it abundantly clear that such responsibility has very high priority in the sight of God. The preacher wrote, “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses” (Prov. 28:27). It is our responsibility as believers to see that the poor, the needy, the widow and the aliens are taken care of as they are God’ most obligation ever.

CARING FOR EACH OTHER

“Then the disciples each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren living in Judea. This they also did and sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30). Apostle Paul’s rule for Christian charity is set forth in Galatians 6:10. Believers must take the opportunity to exercise responsibility towards all men, but to be involved especially in caring for the household of faith. The Christian at Antioch were so solicitous of the wellbeing of the poorer brethren in Jerusalem, that when the famine was predicted by the Spirit Speaking through one of the prophets, they acted immediately. Once it was clear that help was needed, the church carried through its resolution with the appropriate action. All gave in accordance to their means (2 Cor. 8:3). The gifts were sent in charge of Barnabas and Saul to assure proper and honorable administration and distribution (2 Cor. 8:20, 21). They were sent to the elders, which indicate that one of the special duties of leaders in the church is the just administration of benevolences (see also Acts 6:1-3). Such a gift undoubtedly strengthened the bond between the largely Jewish-Christian church at Jerusalem and the largely Gentile-Christian church at Antioch. Prophet Isaiah added, “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fails for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I the God of Israel, will not forsake them” (Isa. 41:17).

 

DUTY TOWARD GOD

In (1 Chro. 27:1) state, “And the children of Israel according to their number, the heads of fathers’ houses, the captains of thousands and hundreds and their officers , served the king in every matter of the military divisions. These divisions came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, each division having twenty –four thousand.”  David was the king over a theocracy. He organized his people for religious duties as well as what can be termed “secular” duties. In the theocracy, however, there was no distinction. Any assigned service was in essence a sacred duty, whether one was soldier or priest. Duty toward the kingdom was duty toward God who was over the kingdom. Such a thought should dominate the thoughts of the Christian. All of life is sacred. The believer is always on duty. Even in one’s chosen occupation, one is to be a dutiful Christian in the performance of his work. Working at a secular job to make a livelihood merely serves as a means by which one performs his overall duty toward God. The believer is never off duty in his moral obligation. Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as bond servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free” (Eph. 6:6-8). In the final coming of God’s kingdom, those who refused to be ruled by the grace of Christ will be ruined by the wrath of Christ. But it is an equally sober reminder of our responsibility to work fruitful while awaiting His return. God entrusts His servants with gifts, money, talents and tasks. Their response of His trust involves a test of character. In God’s kingdom, faithfulness in little tasks is of uttermost important. The Lord rewards His servants for their work.

Beloved brethren, grace entitles us to heaven, but our glory in heaven will be according to our works. Some who seem to know God will fail the test and be exposed at the last day (Luke 19:20-25). Those who have grown in love for their Lord will enter in with great joy.

“Grace to you and Favor from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen and Amen and Amen.”